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Syria crisis situation update (Issue 50)

10 June 2013

Weekly Donors’ Report 9 June 2013

REGIONAL OVERVIEW

UNRWA launched its Syria Regional Crisis Response this week, alongside the launch of the UN-wide Syria Humanitarian Assistance Response Plan. The new appeal emphasises the particular vulnerability of the Palestine refugee population in Syria and neighbouring countries, and the Agency now requires a total of USD199.4 million to respond to growing needs in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. At least 44,000 refugee homes have been damaged by conflict, and approximately 235,000 refugees are displaced within Syria. UNRWA facilities have also been damaged, and 57 schools and 11 health centres require urgent repairs. Approximately 8,300 refugees are currently being provided shelter in 21 UNRWA facilities, and many more are being provided accommodation in refugee camp communities. A further 64,200 have fled to Lebanon and Jordan and UNRWA is also tracking reports of Palestine refugees from Syria in Egypt, Turkey and Gaza.

SYRIA

Summary

Intensive shelling of Khan Eshieh camp resulted in damage to an UNRWA school housing 172 displaced refugees. Three shells landed in the camp without any casualties.

Total of 8,378 IDPs in 21 UNRWA facilities across the country as of 4 June. 83% of IDPs are Palestine refugees. 8,003 displaced refugees are in 13 Damascus facilities alone. Increasing numbers of refugees are seeking shelter at UNRWA facilities and refugee camps in Hama, Homs Aleppo city and Lattakia.

UNRWA has now distributed cash assistance to 112,072 families, food parcels to more than 45,000 families, and 313,000 rations of canned food for displaced refugees seeking shelter at UNRWA facilities. The Agency has also distributed more than 76,000 blankets and 48,000 mattresses, in addition to 20,000 other non-food items including diapers, hygiene kits, sanitary towels, jerry cans and tents.

Eight out of 23 health centres were closed this week, all in Damascus. Only six health centres were fully operational, with nine health centres compelled to reduce opening hours due to inaccessibility for staff and patients alike.

At least six refugees were killed this week as a result of shelling and clashes in Damascus.

Humanitarian Response

IDP numbers in UNRWA facilities as of 4 June

8,378 displaced Palestine refugees are currently being accommodated at 21 UNRWA facilities in Damascus, Aleppo, Lattakia and Hama. A further 4,766 are located at 12 non-UNRWA IDP facilities in Damascus, Aleppo and Lattakia, and UNRWA is providing regular food, NFIs and health services to them. 3,016 displaced Palestine refugees have been identified in Hama Camp, having come from Yarmouk and Ein el Tal. 6,412 refugees have made themselves known to UNRWA in Homs Camp, having fled from Aleppo, Damascus and Homs countryside. 3,850 refugees have approached UNRWA in Latakia, having fled from Yarmouk and Ein el Tal (Total: 18,044). UNRWA continues to provide regular food and NFI assistance to all displaced refugees who have approached the Agency.

Area

F

M

Children

Total

Damascus Training Centre

383

425

527

1335

Damascus (Jaramana Camp)

471

399

850

1720

Damascus (Mezzeh)

167

144

227

538

Damascus (Khan Eshieh Camp)

196

180

282

658

Damascus (Ramadan Camp)

298

365

626

1289

Damascus (Dummar)

121

135

264

520

Damascus (Rukn Eddin)

151

124

233

508

Damascus (Khan Dannoun Camp)

384

361

690

1435

Aleppo

45

56

20

121

Hama

13

7

28

48

Lattakia

57

57

92

206

Total

2286

2253

3839

8378

Area summary

Damascus / Rif Damascus: Sporadic shelling and clashes continued in many areas of the city this week, including Yarmouk, Sbeineh, Sit Zeinab, Husseiniyeh, Khan Eshieh, Jobar, Qaboun, Barzeh, Harasta and Douma. Shells continue to impact in UNRWA camps, and clashes were reported on the edge of Yarmouk this week. Four refugees, including a child, were killed as a result of the clashes. A further two refugees were also killed in Douma.

Sbeineh camp remains completely cut off by security forces, with armed opposition groups maintaining a presence there. Intensive shelling was reported in Khan Eshieh Camp, with approximately 20 shells impacting in the camp. Three shells landed within Bir Seba’ school, two in the playground and one near the border wall, without causing any casualties. The school is currently providing shelter to 172 displaced refugees.

Aleppo: The city was relatively calm this week, and the Area Office was operational as usual. Ein el Tal Camp continues to be cut off and is presumed empty of refugees, with armed opposition groups controlling the area. Clashes and shelling continue around Neirab Camp, but the camp itself remains relatively quiet and accessible, with all facilities open.

Dera’a: Clashes and shelling continued around the camp in Dera’a, and Area Office staff worked from the relative safety of the Engaging Youth centre and warehouse. Mzerieb village saw sporadic shelling in the surrounding area, and a number of shells landed in the village itself, without causing any casualties. A similar situation is reported in Jillien, but the main road from Dera’a is inaccessible, with refugees still able to use side roads. The border remains technically open on the Syrian side, but access is almost impossible due to insecurity in the border area. Hostilities also continued around the main highway to Damascus, with very little traffic using the road.

Homs: The town was relatively calm, apart from intensive shelling of the old city early in the week. The camp remained relatively calm, but the body of a refugee missing for several weeks was found in the main graveyard this week. Following a two-week period of shelling and airstrikes, government forces took control of nearby Qusayr.

Hama: The town and camp remained relatively quiet over the reporting period and all facilities remained operational. There are now 48 displaced refugees being accommodated in UNRWA facilities in Hama Camp.

Lattakia: The situation remains calm and UNRWA continues to deliver services, in addition to providing shelter to 206 displaced refugees in its facilities.

LEBANON

Palestine Refugees from Syria in Lebanon

There are currently an estimated 57,000 Palestine refugees from Syria (PRS) in Lebanon at present, or approximately 16,500 families. The current location of refugees is spread between Saida (31%), Beqaa (21%), Beirut (17%), Tyre (17%) and the north (14%).

Cash assistance

UNRWA will be distributing cash t0 all registered PRS families in Lebanon from 17 to 22 June. These distributions will take place in all areas of the country. Cash for housing will be distributed at a rate of LBP 200,000 (USD 133) to families of 1-3 persons, and families of four or more will receive LBP 300,000 (USD 200). Cash for food will be provided at a rate of LBP 50,000 (USD 33) per person.

Shelter Rehabilitation

UNRWA has been responding to much needed shelter rehabilitation for PRS in Lebanon, and has so far upgraded eight collective shelters housing 87 families. 11 additional shelters have been approved for rehabilitation, and will provide shelter for an additional 88 families. Rehabilitation works are currently being carried out on four shelters in Saida, six in Tyre and one in the Central Lebanon Area.

Education

As of 1 June, 3,082 PRS students were attending special classes, and a further 667 students are attending regular classes. The Agency is focusing its efforts on how to deliver the Lebanese curriculum to PRS students in the most efficient and comprehensive manner. A workshop was held with Education Specialists and teaching staff from the special and regular classes. Students are currently taking their end of year exams.

Thanks to a generous donation from UNICEF, a third phase of distribution of clothing vouchers will take place during the next two weeks. UNRWA is also preparing for the distribution of PRS school uniforms thanks to a generous donation by the Norwegian government.

Health

UNRWA continues to deliver medical consultations and medications through its 28 health centres. 36,518 PRS have now received health services through the health centres, and over 8,000 families have registered. 1,303 patients have been hospitalized for urgent and life-threatening conditions, and four cancer patients have benefitted from support towards the cost of cancer medications.

The Health Department will be conducting health awareness sessions during upcoming distribution rounds, and nurses will distribute brochures kindly donated by WHO about scabies prevention and treatment.

JORDAN

Palestine Refugees from Syria in Jordan

As of 5 June 2013, UNRWA has recorded 1,820 families of Palestine Refugees from Syria (PRS) of concern to the Agency. Currently, 197 Palestinians reside in Cyber City, the government appointed facility in Irbid governorate.

Education

651 students are attending UNRWA schools.

Protection

UNRWA continues to appeal to the Jordanian government to allow retract its policy of refouling PRS fleeing Syria (both non-admission to Jordan of PRS fleeing Syria and forced return to Syria of those PRS already in Jordan) and provide them with the same humanitarian support that is provided to others fleeing the conflict.

Health Services

Between 1 January and 30 May 2013, Palestinian refugees from Syria made 6,293 visits to UNRWA clinics across the Kingdom.

Relief and Social Services

In this same period, 1,257 families received emergency assistance.

Domicile in Syria

Refugee

%

Damascus rural

3158

42.3%

Damascus city

2428

32.5%

Dera‘a

1560

20.9%

Homs

120

1.6%

Aleppo

80

1.1%

Hama

26

.4%

Other

90

1.2%

Grand Total

7462

The majority of PRS registered with UNRWA continue to be from the Damascus and the towns surrounding the city.

The current profile of Palestine Refugees from Syria in Jordan includes:

§ 48% male / 52% female

§ 76% women & children

§ Average family size is 4

§ 9% over the age of 50

§ 36 % under the age of 13

28% female headed households

Documents

Indiv.

%

Jordan

4237

56%

Palestine

1751

23%

Syria

1461

19%

Other

58

1%

Total

7462

§

The majority of PRS approaching UNRWA for services in Jordan hold Jordanian documents.